Kantarawaddy Times
Residents from four villages—Payar Phyu, Payar Ni, Paung Taw, and Phala Ph—located on the border between Dee Mawhso and Loikaw Townships in Karenni State have been forced to relocate after their homes were completely submerged by flooding, according to a representative from the Youth Development Center (DOC) involved in the relief efforts.
“Entire villages have been submerged. In some cases, people tried to continue living in their homes, even with the lower floors flooded. They built additional platforms inside their homes, staying on the second floor when the first floor was submerged. But now, the water has reached the roofs, and they can no longer stay. They started relocating yesterday, and it’s been two days now,” said a DOC official.
The villages, situated near the Bilu Stream, were flooded after the stream overflowed due to the release of water from the Moe Bye Dam. This was caused by the dam’s gates being opened, leading to rising water levels and the submersion of homes.
The flooding initially began on July 25, after the military battalion based at Moe Bye (Battalion 422) released water from the dam. Although the villagers stayed in their homes for a while, the most recent water release completely submerged the roofs of their houses, forcing them to relocate.
Currently, the villagers are moving to nearby communities such as Nan Mae Khon and Sin Taung but they are in urgent need of food and drinking water, according to a member of the Karenni Hope organization.
“They are in need of drinking water and dry food supplies. We have received requests for assistance,” a Karenni Hope member reported.
The four affected villages—Payar Phyu, Payar Ni, Paung Taw, and Phala Ph—are home to over 600 households.
